In this podcast, Max Doty talks about The House That Eats the Dead, Reddit horror stories, writing lessons from video games, and much more.

[3:30] Early life lessons growing up.
[5:00] Early horror movie watching experiences.
[5:55] First stories written.
[13:00] Almost Kings.
[14:00] Creative writing lessons.
[27:10] The House That Eats the Dead genesis.
[29:30] Pacing and growing tension.
[31:00] What would Max do if he owned the house that eats the dead.
[36:45] The writing process.
[47:40] Writing on Reddit and getting a literary agent.
[54:40] How many drafts did the book go through before submitting to a publisher.
[1:01:50] Writing routine.
[1:08:10] Lessons from screenwriting and video games that can be applied to writing for the page.
[1:14:50] Leaving the video games industry.
[1:17:15] The pandemic and unexpected challenges.
[1:22:45] Best and worst writing advice.
[1:33:50] Advice to eighteen-year-old self.

Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-679-max-doty-on-the-house-that-eats-the-dead-reddit-horror-stories-and-writing-lessons-from-video-games

Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thisishorror

In this podcast, Ryan Lowell talks about Freight, dialogue-heavy fiction, his writing routine, and much more.

[3:20] Conversation start/the elevator pitch for Freight.
[8:40] Planning and writing Freight.
[10:45] Pros and cons of writing dialogue-heavy fiction.
[18:40] Movie references and influences.
[30:00] The influence and inspiration from philosophy and psychology.
[36:50] Literary agent.
[40:00] The word count of Freight and if it being a short novel impacted publication or shopping the novel.
[54:20] Writing routine.
[1:04:45] Connect with Ryan.
[1:05:35] Final thoughts.

Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-678-ryan-lowell-on-freight-dialogue-heavy-fiction-and-writing-routine

Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thisishorror

In this podcast, Ryan Lowell talks about trucking, early writing experiences, George V. Higgins, and much more.

[3:05] Conversation start/early life lessons growing up.
[6:40] When Ryan started writing.
[9:50] Early experiences with films and books.
[12:20] Parents’ reaction to sporting and creative aspirations.
[17:15] The impact of 1984 and The Power of Now.
[24:20] George V. Higgins.
[26:25] Bucksport.
[31:05] Parenting.
[34:30] The first story Ryan wrote.
[41:05] Getting into the trucking industry.

Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-677-ryan-lowell-on-trucking-early-writing-experiences-and-george-v-higgins

Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thisishorror

In this podcast, Michael David Wilson talks about The Girl in the Video, Gaijin J-Horror, horror set in Japan, and much more. With special guests Dan Howarth and David Moody.

[2:35] Conversation start/Michael’s first experience with The Girl in the Video story.
[7:15] Setting stories in Japan.
[10:45] One Story Per Week Writing Challenge and Writing More Seriously.
[18:10] Alternating between writing stories set in the UK and Japan/where is home?
[29:25] Reissuing The Girl in the Video and reflecting on the story six years after initial publication.
[50:05] Adding value and bonuses for readers.
[57:25] What Michael’s high standards mean for the second edition of The Girl in the Video and books in general.
[1:07:30] Being authentic and refusing to be inauthentic.
[1:09:40] The impact of social media, AI, and the digital age and the relevance of The Girl in the Video today.
[1:17:10] How Michael and his writing has changed since he first wrote The Girl in the Video.
[1:25:30] Projecting confidence, turning 40, and mini life crises.
[1:39:35] Don’t chase trends.
[1:49:45] Words of wisdom to leave listeners with about writing and Michael’s writing journey.

Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-676-michael-david-wilson-on-the-girl-in-the-video-gaijin-j-horror-and-horror-set-in-japan

Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thisishorror

In this podcast, Raphael Montes talks about The Secret Dinner, the Seagull Soup Riddle, writing about taboo topics , and much more.

[4:10] Conversation start/early life lessons.
[8:55] The films and books Raphael was consuming from an early age.
[13:30] Writing stories that don’t fit into an easy genre box.
[17:00] Planning The Secret Dinner.　
[21:35] Dark comedy.
[26:30] The seagull soup riddle.
[29:30] The real-life Piglet.
[34:40] The Secret Dinner in conversation with Chuck Palahniuk.
[45:15] Our generation’s search for meaning.
[49:20] Brazil’s reaction to The Secret Dinner.
[53:35] Are any taboo topics off limits for Raphael?
[59:25] Horror chose me.
[1:03:45] Vegan reaction.
[1:08:35] Religion’s effect on Raphael’s life and presence in Brazil and the book.
[1:13:40] Connect with Raphael and final thoughts.

Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-675-raphael-montes-on-the-secret-dinner

Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thisishorror

In this podcast, Richard Jerram talks about lessons learnt writing The Makoto Murders, his writing routine, what defines success, and much more.

[2:50] The Makoto Murders and its journey with Titan Books.
[11:15] Richard’s writing routine.
[16:20] Writing to music or silence.
[23:20] What defines success?
[33:50] Making protagonist, Ken Kato, half British/half Japanese.
[45:00] Ken’s obsession with Makoto and the realities of stalking in Japan.
[55:00] Lessons learnt writing The Makoto Murders.
[1:01:30] Advice to eighteen-year-old self.
[1:03:50] Connect with Richard.

Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-674-richard-jerram-on-lessons-learnt-writing-the-makoto-murders-writing-routine-and-what-defines-success

Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thisishorror

In this podcast, Richard Jerram talks about The Makoto Murders, living in Tokyo, Japan, winning the Crime Writers’ Association’s Debut Dagger Award, and much more.

[3:15] Early life lessons growing up.
[6:00] The best and worst things about taking a creative writing MA.
[10:15] Retirement from work as an economist and decision to pursue writing fiction.
[11:45] Arriving in Tokyo, Japan in 1987.
[14:55] The Makoto Murders launch event.
[17:25] The Makoto Murders elevator pitch.
[20:20] Writing a novel with a sociopathic protagonist.
[28:15] Japan setting.
[29:35] Planning and writing process for The Makoto Murders.
[34:55] Workshopping two endings.
[37:10] Including specific details to Japan.
[38:50] Next books and projects.
[43:55] Advantages and disadvantages of living in Japan, Singapore, and London.
[45:30] Becoming fluent in Japanese.
[49:10] Life and art imitating one another: winning the Crime Writers’ Association’s Debut Dagger Award.
[54:00] Landing a literary agent.
[58:10] Film and TV rights.

Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-673-richard-jerram-on-the-makoto-murders-living-in-tokyo-japan-and-winning-the-crime-writers-associations-debut-dagger-award

Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thisishorror

In this podcast, E. L. Chen talks about Slasher Summer, slasher movies, the best writing advice she’s ever heard, and much more.

[4:25] Slasher Summer elevator pitch.
[6:25] First experiences with slasher movies.
[11:30] Watching A Nightmare on Elm Street.
[16:35] Lessons taken from other slasher stories within horror fiction.
[18:55] Planning process.
[24:30] The cabin backstory.
[26:20] Editorial input.
[31:40] Slasher references.
[38:00] Favourite slasher.
[40:30] Lessons learnt writing Slasher Summer.
[44:50] One Of Us Is Already Dead.
[54:20] Best and worst writing advice.
[1:00:15] Advice to eighteen-year-old self.
[1:03:10] Something that frightens Elaine.
[1:07:00] Connect with E. L. Chen.

Full podcast show notes are available here: https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/tih-672-e-l-chen-on-slasher-summer-slasher-movies-and-best-writing-advice

Support This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thisishorror